Psalms 72:4

4 May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.

Psalms 72:4 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.
The Message Bible (MSG)
4 Please stand up for the poor, help the children of the needy, come down hard on the cruel tyrants.
American Standard Version (ASV)
4 He will judge the poor of the people, He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
4 May he grant justice to the people who are oppressed. May he save the children of needy people and crush their oppressor.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people, help the poor, and crush the oppressor.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
4 The king will stand up for those who are hurting. He will save the children of those who are in need. He will crush those who beat others down.

Psalms 72:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 72:4

He shall judge the poor of the people
Of the people of God, whether among Jews or Gentiles; (See Gill on Psalms 72:2);

he shall save the children of the needy;
whose parents being needy, they are so too, in a spiritual sense, and in distressed circumstances. Such Christ saves from their sins; from the curses and condemnation of the law: from, wrath to come, and out of the hands of all their enemies;

and shall break in pieces the oppressor;
the tyrant Satan, the god of this world; that has usurped a power over it; who works in the children of disobedience, and leads captive the people of God in their unregenerate state: the "calumniator", as some render the word; the accuser of the brethren: "the defrauder" F17, as others: who beguiled our first parents, and deceives mankind. Now it was foretold of Christ that he should break his head; and he was manifested in the flesh to destroy his works; and him himself; and he has broke him and all his schemes in pieces, and spoiled all his principalities and powers: The Syriac Version reads, "tyrants" or "oppressors", in the plural number; and it may include the Jews, who were the persecutors and oppressors of the first Christians; and Rome, Pagan and Papal; antichrist, and all the antichristian states, which have been, or will be, broken to pieces by Christ; who will rule them with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces as a potter's vessel, ( Revelation 2:27 ) ( 12:5 ) ( 19:15 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (qvwe) "calumniatorem", Pagninus, Tigurine version, Vatablus, Musculus; "fraudatorem", Muis, Cocceius.

Psalms 72:4 In-Context

2 May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.
3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4 May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.
5 May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Psalms 9:12; Psalms 76:9; Isaiah 49:13
  • 2. ver 13; Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 29:19; Isaiah 32:7
  • 3. S Psalms 27:11
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